One of the principles I teach my High School business class is the reality of trade-offs and opportunity costs. Every decision in business and in life involves trade-offs. If I decide to do something, I’m giving up the benefits and costs of the alternatives. While Jesus doesn’t use business language in today’s passage from Mark, the principles are there and help us understand this hard teaching.
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”(Mark 9:42–50, CSB)
Following Jesus requires sacrifice on several levels. While Jesus’ examples are extreme, the principle remains. What are you willing to give up to follow Jesus? This is not about salvation, which is fully paid for by Christ’s sacrifice. This is about our response to that sacrifice. There are some obvious things at the top of the list that are self-indulgent and self-gratifying. Many stop there without realizing that Jesus wants us to consider the deep things in our lives, such as our attitudes, anger, pride, and jealousy.
Now, I said earlier that this is not about salvation. True, and yet it also applies to that pivotal decision. Many have agreed with the Gospel but not committed to it because they didn’t want to give something up that they knew Jesus would ask of them. Our mission is to help them see that the trade-off is worth it.
While the earlier verses are challenging, the later verses about salt aren’t immediately clear. What did Jesus mean by “salted with fire” and “have salt among yourselves”? The Old Testament law required salt to be offered with the sacrifices made in the temple. For example, see Leviticus 2:13. This salt is a reminder of God’s enduring covenant with his people. We must also “salt our sacrifices” by resting in God’s grace, peace, and everlasting love. We endure the trials and persecutions that may come our way by embracing God’s enduring promises.
We are not alone. Jesus taught, “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Preserve one another and be at peace with one another. As Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6, CSB) The sacrifice is worth it.
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